Question

Which three lines in the poem are examples of alliteration?

Song: To Celia

by Ben Jonson
Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I’ll not look for wine.
The thirst that from the soul doth rise
Doth ask a drink divine;
But might I of Jove’s nectar sup,
I would not change for thine.

I sent thee late a rosy wreath,
Not so much honouring thee
As giving it a hope, that there
It could not withered be.
But thou thereon didst only breathe,
And sent’st it back to me;
Since when it grows, and smells, I swear,
Not of itself, but thee.

Answer 1

In Ben Jonson's poem 'Song: To Celia,' alliteration can be found in lines such as 'Drink to me only with thine eyes,' 'The thirst that from the soul doth rise,' and 'I sent thee late a rosy wreath,' each creating a rhythm through repeated consonant sounds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alliteration can be identified in a poem when two or more words in a line start with the same consonant sound. In Ben Jonson's Song: To Celia, examples of alliteration are present within the lines. The phrase 'Drink to me only with thine eyes' presents a subtle repetition of the 'd' sound. Another example can be found in the line 'The thirst that from the soul doth rise', where the 'th' sound is repeated. A third instance is in the line 'I sent thee late a rosy wreath', with the 's' sound being repeated. These instances create a musical rhythm and often enhance the sensory experience of the poem.